Feb 25, 2013

LoEB Post - The Oscars

Well, the official Oscars have come and gone, not that I really care. I thought "We Saw Your Boobs" was pretty funny and very Family Guy-ish. I haven't seen Brave but I doubt it will move me like Frankenweenie or speak to me as much as Wreck-It Ralph. What do they know anyway? They effectively ruined action movies for a few years by giving Best Special Effects to The Matrix and forcing us to endure way too many bullet-time wannabes.

But that's not what I'm here to blog about today! The latest assignment from the League of Extraordinary Bloggers, in keeping with a recent theme, is just a couple words:

The Oscars

One image springs to mind when I hear the word Oscar.
One shining example of creative genius that has changed lives.
Something known across the world, that transcends cultural and linguistic barriers.
I am, of course, talking about Oscar the Grouch.
Oscar has been voiced by Carrol Spinney since day 1. He got the idea for the voice after talking to a NYC cab driver, go figure! I had the chance to meet Mr. Spinney at a local con a few years ago and he was just the nicest guy you could imagine, which is really more fitting with his other Sesame persona of Big Bird. How's that for dichotomy?

Carroll told me how during his time in the US Navy he went by his middle name (Ed) because...well, I think you can put that together on your own!

Here's a few things about Oscar that might come in handy on trivia night...

His trash can is like a TARDIS, it's bigger on the inside. Over the years, Oscar has claimed it to contain a farm, skating rink, bowling alley and a pool among other things.

Although he hasn't been seen in over a decade, Oscar used to get around via Bruno the Trash Man. If I were a city worker and found a foul-mouthed creature living in the trash, I don't know that I'd carry him around...unless someone was making an '80s movie about us.

He has also been seen walking with just his legs sticking out of the can in some early '70s episodes where he's played by none other than Hervé Villechaize!

Oscar's best friend is his adorable pet worm, Slimey.
I always liked Slimey as a kid. He was incredibly emotive for such a small guy.

"The Grouch" like "The Hutt" denotes Oscar's species. Yes, there's more of them!

Ever since Elmo showed up, the Sesame Street gang became wussified. Oscar was only occasionally grouchy, Cookie Monster only eats cookies as a snack and Snuffleupagus came out of the imaginary closet.I miss the good old days when they were allowed to be nasty.